Microsoft Surface 2 Hands-On!

Microsoft unveiled the Surface 2 today, a successor to the Surface RT that simplifies its name but keeps the modified version of its desktop operating system, which gets an upgrade from Windows RT to Windows 8.1 with RT versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook. We got a chance to get some hands-on time with the device, and walked away with a few impressions of the Surface 2 from Microsoft.

First off, it looks great. The new silver magnesium color shines without being reflective or glossy, and the device is light without feeling cheap. Under the hood, the Surface 2 is equipped with NVIDIA’s Tegra 4 1.7GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, a 5-megapixel rear camera, a 3.5-megapixel secondary camera. and 25 percent more battery life than the Surface RT. Finally, the Surface 2 offers an impressive 10.6-inch Full HD 1080p display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

While everything about the Surface 2 looks and sounds fine, we can’t help but worry that the device’s restrictive software will hold it back the same way it hampered the Surface RT’s usability. We’ll have to spend a bit more time with the Surface 2 before making a final decision, but for now we’re still not sold on Microsoft’s new tablet.

Pre-orders for the Surface 2 open on Sept. 24 starting at $449 for 32GB and $549 for 64GB. The device will launch on Oct. 22.